Loose-leaf binder



May 29, 1951 J. P. GUINANE ET AL LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Fil'e d Dec. 27, 1948 5 0 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 29, 1951 LOOSE-LEAF BINDER James P. .Guinane, Westport, Conn and Graziano R. Barbieri, New York, N. Y., assignors to American Loose Leaf Corporation Application December 27, 1948, Serial No. 67,294

Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders and more particularly to the extensible back type having provision for removal or insertionof leaves in the binder. Loose leaf binders of the above type have generally involved more or less complex mechanisms which not only increased the cost of the binder but complicated the operation thereof. In binders of this type, a two-part slidable back is generally provided which is adjustable to a first position which efiectively enlarges the binder so as to provide easier turning of the leaves. A second or further extended position is also provided which permits the back sections to become angularly related so as to present the leaf impaling posts into position for the removal or addition of sheets or leaves. Insofar as we are aware, most devices of this nature have incorporated a locking spring member for looking the device in the first position. The operator generally manually released the spring so that the binder could be adjusted to its second position. According to the present invention, construction of such loose leaf binders is considerably simplified in that no springs are required to effect the locking function. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to release a spring. In fact, the invention, by an arrangement of slots in the conventional top and bottom flanges of such loose leaf binders, practically eliminates all the locking devices which have been heretofore employed.

The invention will be further understood from the following description and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a loose leaf binder constructed according to the instant invention and in the second or leaf-removing or inserting position.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away, illustrating the binder in its first or easy reading position.

Fig. 3 is a section substantially along th lines 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the binder as viewed in Fig. 2.

Figs. 5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating modifications of the sliding bolt holding slot.

In the form shown, the binder comprises the cover members H] and II having integral securing ends l2 and I3 which are hingedly related thereto at the flexible or scored portions I5 and Hi. In actual practice the cover members per se I0 and I I generally include a stiffening insert so as to increase the sturdiness of the binder. The securing end I2 is maintained as by rivets ll between the elongated metal plate |:8 and the side fiange'IQ of the metallic back section 20. The

' 2 securing end I3 is similarly maintained between metal plate 2| and the flange 22 of back section 23. To the flanges l 9 and 22 are secured the conventional leaf impaling posts 2 3 which, in the usual manner, bind all the leaves of the binder by entering suitable perforations therein.

Back section 28 includes top and bottom flanges or arms 25 and 26. Flange section 25 is formed with an S-shaped or bayonet type slot 30 having two normally horizontal, offset sections 3! and 32 connected by a short intermediate section 33 which is inclined to the vertical. The base of section 33 is formed with a lower straight portion 34 which serves as a stop, as will be hereinafter explained. Rivet or bolt 35 rides in slot 30. Flange 25 is further formed with an inturned upper edge 36 so as to provide a channel. The top flange 25 has formed therein a similar 5- shaped slot 3? but in which a straight portion is omitted. Rivet 38 rides in slot 31 and the upper edge til of flange 25 is inturned to form a channel.

Back section 23 has the flange sections or arms M! and M which slide adjacent the flanges 25 and 26 of back section 20, being received and guided by the channels 36 and st respectively. Flange section 40 is formed with a normally vertical slot 52 in which rivet 35 is likewise slidably maintained. Slot 63 0f flange section il similarly serves rivet 38 of the opposite end. Flange section 4.0 is cut away at A l to accommodate the adjacent edge of flange section 25 in assuming the tilted or leaf removing position illustrated in Fig. 1. Flange section 4| is similarly formed at 45.

The operation of the binder is as follows:

From the substantially closed or non-used position which is generally illustrated by the dotted lines of Fig. 2, the cover members it and H are first pulled so as to slide the flange sections M and 4! outwardly in respect to the flange sections 25 and 26. This position is illustrated in the full lines of Fig. 2. It will be found that the binder automatically assumes a first rest position Where the rivet 35 lodges against the top wall section 34 of slot 36. This position is further illustrated in Fig. 4. The binder will then be in the easy reading position where the pages may be conveniently turned, having a larger space for this purpose than in the closed position.

When it is desired to shift the binder into the second or leaf removing position, it is merely necessary to manually lift the rivet 35 the height of stop section 34 and simultaneously pull on the covers. By this expedient, the rivet 35 is effectively lifted from the slot section .3! to the commencement of slot section 32 so that the flange sections 40 and 4| are permitted to travel further outwardly or to the ends of flange sections 25 and 26. It will be seen, therefore, that the slots 42 and 43 permit vertical actuation of rivet 35 in moving from the lower slot 3| to the upper slot 32.

When the fiange sections have been completely relatively withdrawn as above described, it is possible to tilt them as illustrated in Fig. 1. Portions of the edge 46 of back section 20 are re ceived in the cut-outs 44 and 45 so as to permit such tilting. The leaf impaling prongs 24 of the respective back sections are then sufficiently spaced so as to permit the removal or insertion closed position, it is only necessary to lift the covers so as to bring the back sections into horizontal alignment, as in the position of Fig. 2, and the covers are pushed together. It will be found that the bolt or rivet 35 smoothly rides down the slot 30 without interference and brings the binder into the closed position. The same occurs on the top end of the binder.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the binder positions are accomplished without the use of springs or locks of any kind. The action of gravity in the travel of rivet 35 in slot 42 permits the assumption of the first stop position and further makes possible an automatic return into closed position when the binder is closed. Rivet or bolt 35 may be formed so as to render finger actuation thereof convenient as by being knurled around its periphery.

It is also possible to slide the binder directly into its second position without necessitating the step of lifting the bolt. This is accomplished by applying the finger or the like to the area of lower straight portion 34 of slot 30. The bolt 35 can be automatically directed up the finger as the back sections are separated, the finger acting as a cam.

In Fig. 5, a modification of slot 30 is illustrated diagrammatically. The straight portion 34 is supplanted by a shorter straight portion 53 which is followed by a rounded wall The bolt 35 is first drawn to the portion 50 at which time the operator feels that the first position has been reached. By a more forceful pull, the bolt may be caused to ride up the wall 5| and into the upper level slot 32 so as to avoid a manual lifting action.

In Fig. 6, there is illustrated a modification of the first embodiment in that the bolt is given a positive stop position by resting in the depression 52 formed in the lower wall of the beginning of the slot which connects the horizontal slots 3| and 32. The bolt is lifted upwardly when the second position is to be assumed.

What is claimed is:

1. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of cover members and a back section integral with each cover member, said back sections being slidable with respect to each other, two spaced arms on each back section, and each said arm being slidable adjacent an arm of the opposite back section to form an engaging pair of arms on the top and bottom of the binder, slots formed on both of the arms of at least one pair and a bolt loosely received in both slots and slidably connecting the arms of a pair together, the slot in one of said arms being formed of two sections joined together by a connecting slot portion, and

a central rest stop for the bolt formed in theicom' necting slot portion, the inner end of one slot section comprising a first rest stop for the bolt in the closed position of the binder, the center rest stop comprising an open or reading position for the binder and the outer end of the other slot section comprising a leaf removing or adding position of the binder.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of cover members and a back section integral with each cover member, said back sections being slidable with respect to each other, two spaced arms on each back section, and each said arm being slidable adjacent an arm of the opposite back section to form an engaging pair of arms on the top and bottom of the binder, slots formed on both of the arms of at least one pair and a bolt loosely received in both slots and slidably connecting the arms of a pair together, the slot of one of said arms being formed of two mutually off-set, connected sections joined together by a connecting slot portion and the slot of the other arm permittin said bolt to ride in either of said off-set sections, the riding of said bolt in the first of said off-set sections producing a separation of the back sections for a predetermined distance, an intermediate rest stop for said bolt formed in the connecting slot portion retaining the binder in an open or rest position, and the other or second oif-set section accommodating further movement of the bolt and separation of the back sections for bringing the binder to a leaf removing position.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of cover members and a back section integral with each cover member, said back sections being slidable with respect to each other, two spaced arms on each back section, and each said arm being slidable adjacent an arm of the opposite back section to form an engaging pair of arms on the top and bottom of the binder, slots formed on both of the arms of at least one pair and a bolt loosely received in both slots and slidably connecting the arms of a pair together, the slot of one of said arms being formed of two sections on different horizontal levels connected by a connecting slot portion which extends between said levels, and the slot on the other arm being formed with a vertical rise to accommodate the vertical movement of said bolt in travelling from one of said two different level sections to the other through said connecting slot portion, the travelling of said bolt in the lower horizontal ofi-set section producing a separation of the back sections for a predetermined distance, an intermediate rest stop for said bolt formed in the connecting slot portion retaining the binder in an open or rest position, and the other or upper horizontal off-set section accommodating. further movement and separation of the back sections for bringing the binder to a leaf removing position.

4. A loose leaf binder according to claim 3 and where-in the slot of said one arm is bayonet-1 shaped wth two elongated horizontal sections on different levels and the connecting portion being tilted toward the vertical.

5. A loose leaf binder according to claim 4 and wherein said tilted connecting portion has a straight wall section to intercept movement of said bolt from one horizontal slot section to the other.

6. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of cover members and a back section integral with each cover member, said back sections being slidable withrespect to each other, twoispaced.

arms on each back section, and each said arm being slidable adjacent an arm of the opposite back section to form an engaging pair of arms on the top and bottom of the binder, slots formed on both of the arms of at least one pair and a bolt loosely received in both slots and slidably connecting the arms of a pair together, the elongated slot of one of the arms of each pair being bayonetshaped and having two normally, substantially horizontal sections on different horizontal levels connected by a vertically tilted section between said horizontal sections, a stop wall portion formed adjacent said vertically tilted section whereby normal actuation in a horizontal direction of said bolt in the lower horizontal section is interrupted when said bolt reaches said stop wall portion, the elongated slot of the other of said arms of said pair being substantially vertical whereby said bolt may be manually lifted up said stop wall portion and into the commencement of said higher level horizontal section so as to permit travel ofsaid bolt therethrough to further separate the back sections.

7. A loose leaf binder according to claim 6 and wherein said stop wall portion comprises a straight, vertical wall section on the lower wall of said vertically tilted section of the bayonet slot.

8. A loose leaf binder according to claim 6 and wherein the other pair of arms at the opposite end of the binder are also formed with elongated slots and a second bolt riding in said other arms elongated slots, one of said other slots being substantially bayonet-shaped to correspond generally with the first mentioned bayonet-shaped slot and the other being substantially vertical in normal position to correspond generally with the slot which co-acts with said first mentioned bayonet-shaped slot.

9. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of cover members and a back section integral with each cover member, said back sections being slidable with respect to each other, two spaced arms on each back section, and each said arm being slidable adjacent an arm of the opposite back section to form an engaging pair of arms on the top and bottom of the binder, slots formed on both of the arms of at least one pair and a bolt loosely received in both slots and slidably connecting the arms of a pair together, the slot of one of said arms being formed of two sections on different horizontal levels connected by a connecting slot portion which extends between said levels, and the slot on the other arm being formed with a vertical rise to accommodate the vertical movement of said bolt in travelling from one of said two different level sections to the other through said connecting slot portion, said connecting slot portion having its lower edge formed into a depression at the commercement thereof whereby said bolt nests in said depression when drawn to the end of said one of said different level sections.

10. A loose leaf binder comprising a pair of cover members and a back section integral with each cover member, said back sections being slidable with respect to each other, two spaced arms on each back section, and each said arm being slidable adjacent an arm of the opposite back section to form an engaging pair of arms on the top and bottom of the binder, slots formed on both of the arms of at least one pair and a bolt loosely received in both slots and slidably connecting the arms of a pair together, the slot of one of said arms being formed of two sections on different horizontal levels connected by a connecting slot portion which extends between said levels, and the slot on the other arm being formed with a vertical rise to accommodate the vertical movement of said bolt in traveling from one of said two different level sections to the other through said connecting slot portion, said connecting slot portion having its lower edge straight for a height approximating the diameter of the shank of the bolt and being rounded at its upper edge.

JAMES P. GUINANE. GRAZIANO R. BARBIERI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 918,707 Schraeger Apr. 20, 1909 1,785,684 McMillan Dec. 16, 1930 2,107,868 McClure Feb. 8, 1938 

